A man who offered to silence dogs by cutting their vocal cords in southwest China has been ordered to stop after photos of the bloody procedures were released online.

The man, who claimed to be an unlicensed amateur vet, argued that all he did was help pet owners and their neighbours who were annoyed by the animals’ incessant barking, Chengdu Economic Daily reported.

Internet users, as well as veterinary professionals said that the “debarking” surgery conducted in an open market in Sichuan was cruel and was a public health risk.

The whole procedure was conducted on an old table in a flower and bird market in Chengdu’s northeastern Qingbaijiang district.